What happens to the current state of the Grimdark if the Vigilus System does actually fall to chaos? It’s not looking good for the Imperium.

The Vigilus Sector has become a flashpoint in the War between the Imperium and Chaos. A pivotal space lane that offers relatively safe passage from one side of the Cicatrix Maledictum (aka the Great Rift) to the other, the Nachmund Gauntlet’s importance cannot be overstated. That’s why Abaddon’s Forces have hit the region so hard and why the Imperium is sending so much to counter the Ork, GSC, and now Chaos forces in the region

But we now know the scale of this conflict is quickly escalating. It’s going to boil down to the tactical prowess of Marneus Calgar vs the ferocity of Abaddon and his Black Legion.

But let’s take this one step further and play the “What if” Game. Hypothetically, let’s assume that the Forces of Chaos do happen to take Vigilus and the Imperium is defeated. What happens next? Well for starter, this quite literally splits the Imperium in two parts:

On the Terra side of the map, you’ve got the following First Founding Chapters:

Again, we’re only looking at First Founding Chapters because the implication is that their off-shoot Chapters are probably around the same area. Regardless, if you look at the map, in reality, the only 4 Space Marine Chapters that matter are the big 4:

Ultramarines

Dark Angels

Space Wolves

Blood Angels

Each of those Chapters gets their own individual codexes to play around with. And yes, technically, we do have Grey Knights and Deathwatch but Grey Knights are on Titan (Terra-side) and Deathwatch can be anywhere. So if Vigilus falls, what does that mean for the Blood Angels, specifically?

Blood Angels – I Think We’re On Our Own Now

If you’ve been paying attention the Blood Angels are already trying to recover from a massive loss from the Tyranids. The Battle of Baal didn’t turn out quite how they planned as they were bailed out by the Warp Storm and Khorne’s Bloodthirster champ Ka’Bandha.They called in all of their successor chapters to help as well so at least they’ve got some back-up, but yeah…it looks pretty bad for the Blood Angels!

They did get the Primaris Protocol and they have seen some promising results using them to combat the flaw. However, Corbulo has been watching the new recruits very closely and has been reporting in to Dante. What has he learned? We’re still not sure yet. But I have a funny feeling that if Chaos wins at Vigilus, we’re going to find out.

Cut off from the rest of the Imperium, the Blood Angels will have to take some pretty drastic measures to hold the line. Are we going to see them go full Space Vampire mode? Are we going to see them embrace the Black Rage/Red Thirst and “fall” to the curse to survive? What if they go the other route and start doing some genetic experimentation of their own in order to use the Primaris to “cure” themselves – only to unlock something far worse. Hey, if Mephiston can do it, why can’t others?

I don’t know what GW has planned for the actual finale of Vigilus. However, aside from the impact this could have on the story-line and the overall arc that’s being played out, there is one thing that I think could actually drive this into reality: Miniature Sales.

Follow The Money

Look, 40k is a hobby and we all like to get cool new miniatures. And GW is a business that revolves around selling miniatures. One of the best ways to get people to buy miniatures is to MAKE new miniatures. If Vigilus falls and the Blood Angels are cut off, that gives GW one heck of a good reason to re-visit the Blood Angels line and create even more miniatures. And because they are Space Marines, you know those miniatures could possibly find themselves worked back into the other Space Marine lines. “Oh that doesn’t happen…” Oh yes it has happened before:

Storm Ravens used to be Blood Angel only. Then they got retroactively added to the other chapters. Now, if GW goes full on Space Vampire Primaris Marine, that’s a different story. But if the Blood Angels have to super-charge their Rhino-chasis vehicles to combat the new threats, that could give GW the reason to create that fabled Primaris “cheap” transport. It might not stop there either. Who knows what could get cooked up by the Blood Angels. Afterall, they and the Salamanders are the “Artisan” chapters. They both like to tinker. Heck, maybe the innovation comes from the Salamanders to try and relieve their Blood Angel battle brothers.

Story reasons aside, this would give GW to experiment with a new branch of miniatures in an existing and popular army (even if they are only popular because of Smash Captains currently). New miniatures for the Blood Angels could lead to some more sales and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s really all about.

What do you think will happen if Chaos takes Vigilus? What will the new normal look like for the Imperium? Do you think the Blood Angels will get a bump or will they be completely screwed?